Do your own research into which service provider you’d like to use BEFORE you fill in the RTC form.

• Use the extra resources/checklists in your pack these give you the key questions to ask, what to look for, and provider email templates.
• Find providers that:
  • Accept NHS Right to Choose (RTC) referrals.
  • Have a current NHS Standard Contract for the service you need.
  • Meet your age group.
  • Clearly state waiting times and assessment style (online, face-to-face).
• Download any referral form they require (you can start filling it in, but it’s not usually needed before your GP has agreed your initial referral).
• Write down their referral contact details—email or portal address.
• If you can’t find info (like waiting time, what happens after assessment, complaints handling, or for ADHD: ongoing medication policies) email using the template provided in your pack.

Tip:
Assume you’ll need to do a lot of the “fact finding” yourself, as GPs are often NOT familiar with RTC providers or processes.

• Add your name, date of birth, NHS number (if you know it), and address to each form in the pack.

• For Autism assessment: fill in the Reason for Referral for Autism form.
• For ADHD assessment: fill in the Reason for Referral for ADHD form.
• You can complete both if you are seeking both assessments.
• Give short, real-life examples about your difficulties or symptoms—use the extra guides for ideas (e.g. “Understanding the Criteria” info sheets).
• If you’re not sure how to phrase something, check the layperson’s notes or example answers in the pack.

• Use the details you collected about your chosen provider this is the main reason to research first.
• Don’t be put off by the detailed legal wording — it is aimed at your GP and the NHS, not at you.
• The only section YOU need to make yourself familiar with is the consent part:
  • The consent section of this form already refuses access to your full medical record for any reason other than your assessment. You do not need to add extra wording—your wishes are built in. By signing, you are protecting your privacy and making clear only strictly necessary information should go to your chosen provider.
  • By signing, you allow only the necessary information from your records to be shared with your chosen provider — for assessment purposes ONLY.

• If you live in Wakefield, Barnsley, Bradford, Kirklees, or Calderdale:
  • You may be referred to a “single point of access” panel for “triage,” where your entire medical record could be reviewed to try to find evidence against an autism or ADHD diagnosis.
  • You may face extra triage steps or panel reviews, especially for ADHD in Kirklees/Wakefield. The same triage may be rolled out across Barnsley/Calderdale as commissioners have asked for more information.
  • These local steps are NOT compliant with national NHS regulations. Your GP’s clinical opinion alone should be enough for a referral under RTC.

• Keep a copy of everything (scan or photos).
• Send to your GP practice:
  • By email (ask the receptionist for the right address if it’s not on the website), or by delivering paper copies.
  • You can use the email template provided in this pack to help you send your forms to your GP—simply copy, paste, and fill in your details.
  • State that you want your GP to review your forms before your appointment.
  • If your chosen provider requires their own referral form, include it (part completed is OK) or mention you will fill it in once your GP has agreed the main referral.

• Arrange your GP appointment (by phone, online, or in person).
• Tell staff you have already sent in your referral pack.

• All the extra resources in your pack (criteria guides, provider checklists, email templates) are there to make every step easier and help you get the clearest, fastest result.

If you get stuck — with research, forms, or problems with your GP or local panel — at this time, the Society for Neurodiversity (S4Nd) is not able to offer one-to-one support. However, we do welcome your feedback about what you find difficult or confusing. This helps us update these resources and create new guides that are more helpful in the future.

How to give feedback:
Please do not email us directly, as we are unable to respond to individual queries. Instead, you can leave comments on the RTC page of our website; you’ll need to be a member of S4Nd and logged in to do this. We’re also setting up a discussion group in the members’ area, where you can share your experiences and questions with others. Your feedback in these spaces will help us develop better resources and support for everyone.

You do NOT need to supply lengthy reports or detailed old records. These forms, along with the extra guidance in your pack, are enough to get your referral started. By researching and preparing yourself, you can guide your GP, get ahead of delays, and make sure your rights are protected.